A common misconception is that compared to air, Nitrox enables Divers to dive?

The misconception that Nitrox allows divers to dive deeper than they could with air stems from a misunderstanding of how gas mixtures affect dive profiles and physiological factors. Nitrox, which is a blend of oxygen and nitrogen (with a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air), does not inherently give divers the ability to reach greater depths beyond the limits set by the partial pressures of the gases involved.

While it is true that Nitrox has a higher oxygen content, this can indeed allow divers to extend their no-decompression limits and reduce nitrogen absorption, thus potentially allowing for longer bottom times at shallower depths. However, this can also mean that at certain depths, particularly those beyond recreational limits, the increased partial pressure of oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity. Therefore, while divers may feel like they're able to dive deeper due to the benefits of reduced nitrogen loading and extended bottom times, safety considerations based on gas mixtures mean that Nitrox does not permit deeper diving beyond what air would allow under similar conditions.

The correct concept to understand is that Nitrox's primary advantages lie in its ability to improve bottom time at certain depths, rather than allowing for deeper dives without additional risks.